during the West Regional Final of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Staples Center on March 28, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.

Even though he attended California, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has become something of a celebrity fan of the Wisconsin basketball team.  During the Badgers’ Final Four run this year, Rodgers has been seen in the stands with girlfriend Olivia Munn (and more importantly, ESPN’s Andy North) cheering on Wisconsin.  Rodgers has friends on the team and is obviously the most famous professional athlete in the state, so it’s cool to see him support Wisconsin… right?

Well, not so fast.  There’s at least one sportswriter that has taken issue with Rodgers’ presence.  Specifically, Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.  And more specifically, Dodd did not appreciate Rodgers getting on-court access that he wasn’t allowed to have after Wisconsin’s win over Arizona and denying an interview request.

To some extent, one can understand Dodd’s complaints.  Yea, it’s not fair that Aaron Rodgers gets special treatment that the Badgers fan who works at the Madison 7-11 or a media member doesn’t get… but unfortunately that isn’t the way the world works.  After all, he’s Aaron Rodgers.  There’s some privileges that go along with being the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.  But one can also understand why media access is restricted.  It’s nice to see the team cut down the nets and enjoy the moment without reporters trying to knock them off a ladder.

Apparently, Rodgers got wind of Dodd’s mini Twitter rant.  As the QB explained in a volley back at Dodd, he had a pass to be there on the court.  He also threw in the hashtags “quit crying” and “you’re a joke” for good measure.

Rodgers is perfectly within reason to turn down an interview request.  He’s there as a fan of the team, so it’s his prerogative whether he wants to agree to answer questions or not.  It’s not like he’s playing the role of Marshawn Lynch at the Super Bowl press conference or anything.  Rodgers is also perfectly within reason to be on the court if approved by the Wisconsin athletic department.  While Dodd and other sportswriters might not like it, their complaints aren’t really with Rodgers here because he didn’t do anything wrong.  And his presence celebrating on the court isn’t really a hill worth dying on for sportswriters, is it?

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